This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling anime and manhwa.
In Solo Leveling, romance isn’t a central focus of the story, but Jin-Woo is still capable of love. Despite his monstrous power and abilities, Jin-Woo has human emotions, and that shows in the way he interacts with Cha Hae-In, especially in the Solo Leveling manhwa.
While Solo Leveling Seasons 1 and 2 primarily highlight Jin-Woo's rise to power, they subtly laid the foundation for his romantic relationship with Cha Hae-In. Their chemistry becomes more evident as the story unfolds, with Cha Hae-In being one of the few people who truly accepts and understands Jin-Woo. That said, let’s take a closer look at Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In's most romantic scenes in Solo Leveling.
Solo Leveling: Why the Chemistry Between Cha Hae-In and Sung Jin-Woo Just Works
Sung Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In’s chemistry stands out thanks to the genuine moments they share in the high-stakes world they inhabit.
Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo's Fateful Encounter
Where Scent Meets Power Spark a Connection
- Anime: Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 5
Cha Hae-In and Sung Jin-Woo are used to the darkness and the danger that comes with every dungeon raid, but amidst the magical beasts and the mana crystals, they’ve found something special—each other. In their first encounter, Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In quickly sensed that there was something different about one another.
In the anime, Jin-Woo compared Cha Hae-In's strength to Go Gun-Hee, whereas Cha Hae-In thought Go Gun-Hee was the powerful presence she sensed from Jin-Woo in the manhwa. Later on, Cha Hae-In was drawn to Jin-Woo's scent, as the latter had no foul smell. In other words, Jin-Woo's scent was the only one that didn’t make Cha Hae-In flinch. Before the day ended, Cha Hae-In went on to investigate Jin-Woo, going so far as to call a friend from the Korean Hunters Association just to find intel about him. This would continue as her curiosity deepened until she realized it wasn’t just professional interest driving her anymore. Just like any other girl, she would go to the internet and research Jin-Woo, as if she were a teenage girl who had a huge crush on the mysterious hunter.
Jin-Woo Protects Cha Hae-In From Atsushi Kumamoto
No One Touches Cha Hae-In in Jin-Woo's Watch
- Anime: Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 10
For many Solo Leveling fans, Cha Hae-In is the strongest female hunter not just in Korea but around the world. In fact, she can defeat Jin-Woo's strongest shadow swordsman in a solo match, which proves that the level of her skill and swordsmanship is on a much higher level than anybody else's.
However, Cha Hae-In still needs protection at times, not because she’s weak but because even the strongest hunters have their limits. During the sparring session with the Japanese S-rank hunters a day before the fourth Jeju Island raid, Jin-Woo had to protect Cha Hae-In from Atsushi Kumamoto, who was recklessly attacking the female hunter with killing intent. This only happened because Cha Hae-In punched Atsushi 14 times, easily overwhelming him and bruising his pride. While Cha Hae-In could have defended herself from Atsushi, Jin-Woo was quick to stop the match before things went too far.
Jin-Woo Saves Cha Hae-In's Life on Jeju Island
Jin-Woo's Heroic Rescue
- Anime: Solo Leveling Season 2 Episode 13
Once again, Jin-Woo comes to Cha Hae-In's rescue without hesitation on Jeju Island. Cha Hae-In was at her best in the initial phase of the ant raid, but the Ant King’s arrival instantly turned the tide of the battle. Of all the Korean S-rank hunters fighting inside the Ant Queen’s lair, the Ant King attacked Cha Hae-In first, knocking her unconscious and fighting for her dear life.
While Cha Hae-In was on the brink of death, Jin-Woo arrived just in time to save the day. Not only did Jin-Woo defeat the Ant King, but he also came up with possible ways to help Cha Hae-In, even if it meant putting his secret out in the open. With Min Byung-Gu's shadow, Jin Woo took a desperate gamble by using the healer’s restored abilities to save Cha Hae-In's life. Hopefully, in Solo Leveling Season 3, they will show Cha Hae-In's reaction when she learns about Jin-Woo's heroic efforts to save her life.
Jin-Woo Pulls Cha Hae-In Into His Arms
The Perks of Shadow Exchange
- Manhwa: Solo Leveling Chapter 113
Solo Leveling fans are inching closer to the adaptation of the Ahjin Guild story arc, where Jin-Woo will pull Cha Hae-In into his arms, as if he were afraid to lose her. Of course, Jin-Woo would ask for Cha Hae-In's consent first instead of grabbing her right away. This kind of skinship only happened not because Jin-Woo wanted to hug Cha Hae-In, but because he wanted to test his theory on his Shadow Exchange skill.
Fans know that Jin-Woo uses Shadow Exchange to switch places with his shadows, but this time, he wanted to know whether the skill would allow him to bring someone with him, specifically Cha Hae-In. While there were no feelings involved in the gesture, especially on Jin-Woo's part, Cha Hae-In couldn't help but blush when he wrapped his arms around her to activate the skill.
Cha Hae-In Realizes Her Feelings for Jin-Woo
Cha Hae-In Tells Jin-Woo She Likes Him
- Manhwa: Solo Leveling Chapter 114
At this point, it won’t take long before Cha Hae-In realizes her feelings for Jin-Woo in the Solo Leveling anime. She’s way past simple curiosity or admiration, as what she feels now runs much deeper. In the Ahjin Guild arc, Cha Hae-In will finally face her feelings for Jin-Woo, which have been keeping her busy for quite some time now.
Cha Hae-In's first move to get closer to Jin-Woo comes in the most unexpected way possible and that is to join his newly formed guild. Jin-Woo, however, will grow suspicious of Cha Hae-In, wondering if she has ulterior motives for wanting to join the Ahjin Guild. This will push Jin-Woo to ask Cha Hae-In her reasons for joining, to which the latter responds with honesty, saying she likes him.
Cha Hae-In Gains Jin-Woo's Trust in the Double Dungeon
Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In’s Intimate Friendship Blooms
- Manhwa: Solo Leveling Chapter 130
There’s nothing more challenging than gaining Jin-Woo's trust, as the strongest hunter has always been betrayed in the past. He also has an invisible yet high wall that separates him from his fellow hunters, refusing anyone to reach his heart. However, Cha Hae-In is one of the few who manages to break through that wall, not with power but with sincerity.
In the Double Dungeon story arc, Cha Hae-In will come to Jin-Woo's aid, putting her life on the line. She will face the menacing Architect of the System, doing her best to protect Jin-Woo despite knowing she’s outmatched. And before Jin-Woo wakes up from his slumber, Cha Hae-In will bravely declare that she is Jin-Woo's friend. This will be a powerful moment, marking the beginning of something deeper between the two formidable hunters.
Cha Hae-In Learns About Jin-Woo's Father
Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo’s First Friendly Date
- Manhwa: Solo Leveling Chapter 155
Now that Cha Hae-In and Jin-Woo are friends, it’s only natural to spend time together despite the noise and chaos in the world they live in. When Jin-Woo was feeling anxious about the big fight that awaited him, he contacted Cha Hae-In, asking her out on a friendly date. It was a surprising move, as Jin-Woo has rarely shown vulnerability ever since he was reborn.
During their friendly date in the amusement park, Jin-Woo opens up to Cha Hae-In about his father. The female hunter just listened quietly to Jin-Woo, offering a calm presence that certainly steadied his mind. Cha Hae-In also talked about things that bother her, and Jin-Woo listened with the same attention, absorbing her words without judgment.
What’s more romantic is that Jin-Woo and Cha Hae-In enjoyed a priceless view of the sky together while they were on top of Kaisel. They eventually spend the night together, eat breakfast, and share stories as if they have their own world.
Jin-Woo Meets Cha Hae-In Once Again
Jin-Woo Fulfills His Promise to Cha Hae-In
- Manhwa: Solo Leveling Chapter 179
Before Jin-Woo headed to his final battle in Solo Leveling, he promised Cha Hae-In to meet her again no matter the outcome. They only spoke over the phone, but the conversation was filled with unspoken emotions. Despite the distance, Cha Hae-In felt a warmth in her chest, while Jin-Woo's mind became at ease, at least for a while.
However, manhwa fans know that Jin-Woo had to sacrifice so much just to end the long war between the Rulers and Monarchs. Cha Hae-In was a huge part of that sacrifice, as Jin-Woo had to let her go, putting the promise of their future on hold for the greater good. Fortunately, Jin-Woo keeps his promise to Cha Hae-In, meeting her again even though the latter has lost her memories. This time, Jin-Woo won’t let go of Cha Hae-In.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Directors
- Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki
- Writers
- Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii
Cast
-
Taito BanSung Jin-woo -
Genta NakamuraYoo Jin-ho
- Creator(s)
- Chugong
